The Promise (Neighbor from Hell #10)(60)

“Positive,” he said, taking a steadying breath as he clenched and unclenched his hand and—

Damn near whimpered when he saw the next text message waiting for him.

“Let me know how much you want for rent,” Jackson said, sighing as he glanced back at him and-

“Are you okay?”

“Yes,” Reed said, shoving his phone back in his pocket so that he could rub his trembling hands down his face as he resigned himself to spanking her ass. “I’m not charging her rent. She does all the cooking,” he managed to get out, deciding that he probably shouldn’t mention the real reason why he wasn’t charging her rent.

“At least let me pay the water bill since it’s gotta be high,” Jackson said with a sigh as he returned his attention to the store.

“The water bill’s low,” Reed said, wondering if Jackson would forgive him if he throttled his sister only to wonder why Jackson was looking at him strangely.

“There’s been no change in your water bill?” Jackson asked as he shot a curious glance back toward the store.

“Not much of one. Why?”

“No reason,” Jackson murmured right around the time that Reed decided that he’d waited long enough.

---

“That should do it,” Joey said with a sigh as she sent one last text to buy herself a little more time before she had to face the man that was-Standing right behind her.

Really hoping that she was wrong, she slowly looked over her shoulder and-

“I’m sorry,” she said, feeling that it was probably for the best if she started her five-step apology process immediately, especially since the large man glaring down at her looked as though he’d made his peace with getting to know the correctional system on a more personal level.

“Is that all?” the man that really didn’t look happy to see her said as he placed both hands on the carriage, effectively trapping her.

“I’m really sorry,” she stressed with a solemn nod only to stop nodding when his eyes narrowed on her and a muscle in his jaw twitched in warning.

“We should probably join the others,” she murmured absently as she snuck a glance past him with the hopes of finding-

“It’s just you and me, sweetheart,” Reed said, leaning in closer so that she was forced to tilt her head back so that she could keep an eye on that tick that was really starting to concern her.

“Oh,” she said, licking her lips nervously before asking, “Should I mention that this store has excellent security?”

Chuckling, he leaned down until his mouth brushed her ear and whispered, “They’ll never make it here in time to stop me from spanking your ass.”

“I see,” she murmured only to sigh with a shrug and admit, “I’m actually good with that.”

There was a pained groan as Reed pulled back so that he could press a kiss against her forehead. “You’re really going to be the death of me,” he said with a sigh as he pulled back and she couldn’t help but wonder about that spanking because she was more than willing to see if the family bathroom was available.

“Start talking,” he said with a resigned sigh as he released his hold on the carriage so that he could grab a bag of chips and toss it in the carriage.

“About spankings?” she asked with a hopeful smile that had his eyes narrowing on her.

“About why your brother wanted to know if my water bill was high.”

“Because he’s very concerned about water conservation?”

“Or…”

Sighing heavily, she let her shoulders sag and found herself mumbling, “I have panic attacks.”

“What does that have to do with my water bill?” he asked, frowning down at her.

“Because that’s how I deal with them,” she admitted as she turned around and pushed the carriage down the aisle.

“I’m not following,” he said, throwing another bag of chips in the carriage.

“It’s not a big deal,” she said, heading to the next aisle.

“Then you shouldn’t have a problem telling me about it,” he said as he glanced down at her carriage and-

“What the hell is that?”

“Crickets and aluminum foil,” she said, noting that tick was now completely gone, which she decided to take as progress.

“What are they for?” he asked, picking up the small plastic container filled with a dozen plump crickets.

“Fishing.”

“I see,” he said, clearing his throat as he put the crickets back, reached over and took control of the carriage and turned it around.

“Where are we going?” she asked, following after him.

“Bait,” was all he said as he headed toward the back of the store where Matt had disappeared earlier.

Speaking of Matt…

“Where’s your brother?” she asked, looking around for the man that told her that he’d be right back.

“He said something about getting an ice pack and waiting in the car,” Reed said, heading for the small fridge marked, “Bait.”

“Is he okay?” Joey asked, worrying her bottom lip and wondering if they should do this another time.

“He’s fine. Something just hit him in the back of the head and he decided that it would be in his best interest to wait in the car,” Reed said, selecting several small containers from the small fridge.